Fiesta Bowl report: Tribe launches inquiry

The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation has launched an inquiry into a secret contract with the Fiesta Bowl that paid about $40,000 per year to an associate of the tribal president.

The funds represented 10 percent of an annual payment made by the Fort McDowell tribe to sponsor the Fiesta Parade during bowl week.

Former bowl Chief Executive John Junker told investigators recently looking into suspected corruption that the contractor, Billy C. Taylor of Bronson and Brandon Investments Inc., acted as a liaison with the Indian nation. However, when questioned about the contract by investigators for the bowl's Special Committee, Junker provided only a sketchy description of Taylor's services and could not explain why the contract included a confidentiality clause that investigators said precluded the Fiesta Bowl from publicly identifying him or his company.

Phillip Dorchester, general manager of the Indian community near Fountain Hills, said he was not aware that the agreement existed and did not believe the Tribal Council was aware of it. He said a tribal attorney is seeking more information from the Fiesta Bowl.

According to a report by the Special Committee, Taylor - identified in the report only as "Person X" - has received payments of $34,000 to $47,500 every year since 2003, plus six prime game tickets for the Fiesta Bowl. The report said Taylor continued to receive payment even after the contract expired in 2008.

Person X was identified by Special Committee investigators in their interviews with Junker and confirmed to The Republic by investigators.

In his interview with investigators, Junker said he believed Taylor was a former chief of staff to tribal President Clinton Pattea, who also is a member of the Fiesta Bowl's board of directors.

Dorchester corrected that, saying Taylor never worked for the tribe but is "a close friend of the president."

According to a narrative of Junker's interview written by investigators, Junker reacted strangely when he was asked if Fort McDowell tribal leaders were aware of the contract. He purportedly was "observed placing both of his hands over his lips before responding, 'I'm not aware, but it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't (know) because I've heard they don't like him (Taylor).' "

When asked if Pattea knew about the contract, the interview narrative said, Junker again placed both hands to his face and said, "That would be my estimation that he did. At one time, they seemed pretty close."

Pattea did not respond to interview requests.

Taylor could not be reached for comment. State records show his corporation's license was revoked in 1993 for failure to file annual reports.

Fiesta Bowl employees have told Special Committee investigators they have no idea what services were provided by Taylor.

During an interview with those investigators this January, Junker acknowledged that he had communicated with Taylor only a few times in the prior year. However, he added, "I should also tell you I sent him a text message today, from this room, because he texted me asking for Super Bowl tickets, which I noted to him I could not provide."

John Zidich, CEO and publisher of The Arizona Republic, has been on the Fiesta Bowl's 25-member board of directors since 2005. He joined the bowl's five-member executive committee in 2010. The Arizona Republic is a Fiesta Bowl sponsor.